18 March 2013

Seven hundred dogs rescued from the meat trade in China are receiving veterinary support, including vaccinations, from animal welfare group Animals Asia.

Animals Asia is assisting Qiming animal shelter, which has taken on around 700 rescued dogs, allocated by Chongqing Small Animal Protection Association. Meanwhile a number of owners have already claimed dogs with volunteers also adopting some of the remaining dogs.

The rescue took place recently in the Qijiang District of Chongqing when officials and activists forced the driver to pull over. Of the wide array of pedigree and mixed breeds discovered on board, many still had tags or collars suggesting they had been stolen from homes.

At the time of the rescue many of the dogs were already visibly suffering. A high percentage of the dogs were severely underweight while others had contracted diseases that had spread as a result of the conditions.

Animals Asia vets are currently vaccinating and treating dogs. A team of 10, made up of vets, nurses and bear team supervisors, have travelled from Animals Asia’s nearby bear sanctuary in Chengdu. Also providing support is veterinary drug supplier Intervet which has donated 1,000 vaccines.

Animals Asia’s founder and CEO Jill Robinson commented:

“The officials and activists who saved these dogs from the slaughterhouse would have been well aware of the wider responsibility that came with their actions. In rescuing the dogs they were effectively taking ownership of them at a time when the dogs had already suffered a great deal and many were ill. Beyond the good news of dogs being reclaimed by their carers, and healthy dogs adopted by animal lovers, there remains a huge responsibility to the rest of the rescued animals.”

Animals Asia China Cat and Dog Welfare Manager Suki Deng explained:

“These are dogs that otherwise would already be dead - the next step is to ensure that as many as possible make it through their ordeal. Our vets will join the activists, volunteers and shelter workers in assisting with the dogs, providing their services while also offering professional advice to those who will continue to care for the dogs.”